The SME industrial activity experienced another sharp decline in the month of April, marking an annual drop of 18.3%, the deepest in the last 3 months. With this result, the first quarter of the year closes with a decrease of 19% compared to the same period in 2023. However, In the monthly comparison, production rose 3.1% in the seasonally adjusted measurement, according to CAME.
The companies operated with 70.1% of its installed capacity in the fourth month of the yearshowing an increase of 0.1 percentage points compared to March.
During the month of April, The SME industry found itself in a marked situation due to the shortage of inquiries and production orders, although the stock replenishment was carried out without major complications and inputs were readily available.
The six manufacturing sectors of the SME segment had falls in the annual comparison in April, with the most affected being “Paper and Printing” (-32.3%) and “Metal, machinery, equipment and transport materials” (-23.7% ).
SME industry: sector-by-sector analysis
Food and drinks
The sector registered a decline of 13.7% annually at constant prices in April and an increase of 0.4% in the monthly comparison. For the first four months of the year, there is an annual decrease of 15%. Industries operated with 73.1% of their installed capacity (vs. 73.3% in March).
Textiles and clothing
There was an annual decline of 0.2% in April, always at constant prices, although it registered an increase of 2.6% compared to March. In the first four months of the year it accumulates only a decrease of 0.1%. The industries operated with 70.8% of their installed capacity (71% in March).
Wood and furniture
In April, the item decreased 15.7% annually and rose 6% in the seasonally adjusted monthly comparison. For the quarter, there is a drop of 19.2% compared to the same months in 2023. During the month, the industries operated with 70.3% of their installed capacity (72.6% in March).
Metal, machinery and equipment, and transportation material
The collapse of the item was 23.7% annually at constant prices, although it improved 4% in the monthly comparison. In the first four months, there was a decline of 23.8%, always in contrast to the same months last year. Meanwhile, industries operated at 67.1% of their installed capacity (66.6% in March).
unnamed (1).png
Chemicals and plastics
The sector experienced another significant contraction of 21.6% annually at constant prices, but combined with an increase of 3.9% in the monthly comparison. In the first four months of this year, production has decreased by 27.3%, compared to the same period in 2023. During this month, industries operated with 67.4% of their installed capacity (65.6% in March). .
Paper and prints
Activity plummeted 32.3% annually at constant prices, being the sector with the greatest decline. In monthly terms, an increase of 0.2% was recorded and for the first four months of the year, activity accumulated a decrease of 23.4%, in relation to the same months of last year. The companies operated with 76.8% of their installed capacity (77.9% in March).
Source: Ambito
